Kuala Lumpur: The ongoing power struggle involving Malay political leaders must not continue, said Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar who warned of harm to the Malay community.In his royal address in conjunction with his 59th birthday, the Johor ruler said he was increasingly concerned over the "crisis" involving unnamed political leaders.

"As a ruler who has promised and sworn to protect the interests of the Malays and Islam, I will not permit the crisis stemming from the power struggle among Malay politicians to continue, and ultimately divide and weaken the Malays," he said.

"Day by day, the Malays are dragged into the crisis of credibility that defaces and tarnishes the image of and trust in the institutions led by Malays, which will then erode the confidence, influence, and power of the Malays."

The Johor ruler did not identify the political leaders responsible for the crisis, but former Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is now an opposition leader and the head of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia that is attempting to win over Umno's supporters. PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is also a Johor native, and is believed to be heading efforts to rally support in the state ahead of the general election, in the hopes of ousting Umno from its bastion.

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The Johor ruler then told the unnamed Malay political leaders to come together for the benefit of their community, and discuss ways to improve their standing and protect their interests.

"Restore the trust and loyalty that the Malay people feel for their leaders," he said.

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He said the Malays have to rise together to become a strong and influential race without offending or sidelining other races.